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Leaning to the right.

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  • Stew70
    Stew70
    6 years ago
    G'day everyone.   Just after peoples thoughts.   So I've found with my bike that it will lean to the right while riding in a straight line.   Weird.   I've not seen anything like this before.   The bike turns left and right no problem and does not favour one over the other.   But travelling along a straight road or freeway I find myself leaning to the right and then I try to wriggle around on the seat to get it upright.  Not too safe when your doing 100 kays.    The bike feels fine otherwise and I'm really happy with it.    I've just recently got it back from dealer after having first service done.  I did report this issue to them but they're response was,   They couldn't see any lean,  could not fault it.  But after riding it home,  the lean is still there.  (in fact,  my brother was following me on the way home and noticed I was leaning on the freeway).   I will take it back to the dealer and push the issue but I would like to hear some opinions.   I have also noticed that the front wheel is offset and wondered if this might in some way be the cause.  Thanks in advance,    Stew.      

    20180923_135451.jpg
  • WideglidingNZ
    WideglidingNZ
    6 years ago
    Sounds like an alignment issue to me, unless there was a huge cross wind each time you ride lol
  • Stew70
    Stew70
    6 years ago
    Quoting WideglidingNZ on 28 Sep 2018 09:44 PM

    Sounds like an alignment issue to me, unless there was a huge cross wind each time you ride lol

    Ha Ha,  no cross wind.   The lean is not extreme but its enough to notice.
  • bloodog
    bloodog
    6 years ago
    I put second hand grips in my 09 Rocker and the throttle sticks, nothing major but I can take my hand of and the bike keeps the same speed.
    Well my point is I can cruse in a straight line for ages with both arms out stretched, 
    So to answer your question no my bike is straight as a die

  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    6 years ago
    My Fatbob also has solid wheels, not the stock slot style that let air through and it requires a bit of lean with even the slightest cross wind. Even the old Fatboy wheels had holes. By comparison the new Fatboy wheels are solid sails so run a test in two directions on the same road/time. Camber can also play a part so find somewhere you can ride on both sides of the road. I’ve seen a couple of guys have fitted Breakout wheels and reported better road manners.
  • Stew70
    Stew70
    6 years ago
    Quoting Ratbob on 28 Sep 2018 10:20 PMedited: 28 Sep 2018 10:22 PM

    My Fatbob also has solid wheels, not the stock slot style that let air through and it requires a bit of lean with even the slightest cross wind. Even the old Fatboy wheels had holes. By comparison the new Fatboy wheels are solid sails so run a test in two directions on the same road/time. Camber can also play a part so find somewhere you can ride on both sides of the road. I’ve seen a couple of guys have fitted Breakout wheels and reported better road manners.

    I ride the bike to work once or twice a week (arvo shift) and have ridden in both windy and still conditions.  Yes these wheels are like sails and you do get blown around a bit but the lean is still there with no wind.  I ride along the Ring Road (freeway) in Melbourne in both directions.  The lean is there both directions.  I have seen a new Fatty with the Breakout wheels looks alright but for the moment,  I cant afford the extra expense that'l bring.   
  • Fxdfsteve
    Fxdfsteve
    6 years ago
    Quoting Stew70 on 28 Sep 2018 09:35 PM

    G'day everyone.   Just after peoples thoughts.   So I've found with my bike that it will lean to the right while riding in a straight line.   Weird.   I've not seen anything like this before.   The bike turns left and right no problem and does not favour one over the other.   But travelling along a straight road or freeway I find myself leaning to the right and then I try to wriggle around on the seat to get it upright.  Not too safe when your doing 100 kays.    The bike feels fine otherwise and I'm really happy with it.    I've just recently got it back from dealer after having first service done.  I did report this issue to them but they're response was,   They couldn't see any lean,  could not fault it.  But after riding it home,  the lean is still there.  (in fact,  my brother was following me on the way home and noticed I was leaning on the freeway).   I will take it back to the dealer and push the issue but I would like to hear some opinions.   I have also noticed that the front wheel is offset and wondered if this might in some way be the cause.  Thanks in advance,    Stew.      

    20180923_135451.jpg
    someone else on here had a problem like yours ,someone said something about fatboys having a off set to do with the rear 200 tyre fitted 
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    6 years ago
    Yah need to hang the oldfellow the other way!  that should help rebalance.
  • Stew70
    Stew70
    6 years ago
    Quoting Stew70 on 28 Sep 2018 09:35 PM

    G'day everyone.   Just after peoples thoughts.   So I've found with my bike that it will lean to the right while riding in a straight line.   Weird.   I've not seen anything like this before.   The bike turns left and right no problem and does not favour one over the other.   But travelling along a straight road or freeway I find myself leaning to the right and then I try to wriggle around on the seat to get it upright.  Not too safe when your doing 100 kays.    The bike feels fine otherwise and I'm really happy with it.    I've just recently got it back from dealer after having first service done.  I did report this issue to them but they're response was,   They couldn't see any lean,  could not fault it.  But after riding it home,  the lean is still there.  (in fact,  my brother was following me on the way home and noticed I was leaning on the freeway).   I will take it back to the dealer and push the issue but I would like to hear some opinions.   I have also noticed that the front wheel is offset and wondered if this might in some way be the cause.  Thanks in advance,    Stew.      

    20180923_135451.jpg
    Quoting Fxdfsteve on 08 Oct 2018 10:41 AM

    someone else on here had a problem like yours ,someone said something about fatboys having a off set to do with the rear 200 tyre fitted 

    I'm glad its not just me.  I have found that the front is offset.   It would be nice to know if something can be done to fix it or adjust it because I've found myself concentrating on the lean and not fully on the road.    
  • Stew70
    Stew70
    6 years ago
    Quoting tussuck on 08 Oct 2018 11:52 AM

    Yah need to hang the oldfellow the other way!  that should help rebalance.

    Wow.  Ha Ha....    Maybe that's been the problem all along.  I should try that.    
  • Bob
    Bob
    5 years ago
    Has anybody else had this leaning to right problem on a flfbs. Does anybody know what may be the cause? Would an aftermarket lighter weight exhaust have this type of effect?
    Thanks
    Rob.
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    5 years ago
    Quoting tussuck on 08 Oct 2018 11:52 AM

    Yah need to hang the oldfellow the other way!  that should help rebalance.

    Quoting Stew70 on 09 Oct 2018 12:52 AM

    Wow.  Ha Ha....    Maybe that's been the problem all along.  I should try that.    

    likely would have to hang of the seat like cornering on the GP bike
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    5 years ago
    Might be worth closely checking the spacings on the rear wheel between the centre of the axle and the centre of the swingarm mounting bolts on both sides to confirm they are identical. If they are not it could well be the problem.
    In other words an alignment issue as Wideglide NZ suggested.
  • rodrocket
    rodrocket
    5 years ago
    how are the steering head bearings and also has the back wheel been off the bike at any stage it may help to check the alignment
  • Sparra
    Sparra
    5 years ago
    The original post is almost 12 months old...It would be good to hear what the outcome was...
  • Bob
    Bob
    5 years ago
    The bike has 2200km. I personally have only done 600km as I bought the bike 2nd hand. Still has original tyres. My brother has also the same model bike with 1500km and his is also behaving the same way. I will have to check rear wheel alignment, as on both bikes the drive belt is tracking to the left of the rear sprocket or pulley looking from the rear of the bike. I Will also check the head stem bearing drag and check for free play on the stand. The leaning to the right was something we both noticed quite shortly after purchasing the bikes. And it is obvious on the front and rear tyres that they are contacting the road off centre.
    Thanks for the advice guys. I will post what I find when or if I get to the bottom of this.
  • Stew70
    Stew70
    5 years ago
    Hi All.   There's been no change to the bike at this stage.  Due to the loss of a close family member at the start of the year and being involved with preparing the property for sale,  I have not had time to look further.   I have ridden the bike on occasion and have found that if I sit to the right in the seat or shift my weight to the right the bike is more upright.  I don't have a bike lift or anything at home to get the bike up to check alignment or head stem bearings etc.  Now the weather is starting to improve in Melbourne and I'm starting to get a bit more time,  I'll look into it in the next couple of months hopefully.    All the best,   Stew.     
  • gidgi
    gidgi
    5 years ago
    Quoting Stew70 on 09 Sep 2019 11:56 AM

    Hi All.   There's been no change to the bike at this stage.  Due to the loss of a close family member at the start of the year and being involved with preparing the property for sale,  I have not had time to look further.   I have ridden the bike on occasion and have found that if I sit to the right in the seat or shift my weight to the right the bike is more upright.  I don't have a bike lift or anything at home to get the bike up to check alignment or head stem bearings etc.  Now the weather is starting to improve in Melbourne and I'm starting to get a bit more time,  I'll look into it in the next couple of months hopefully.    All the best,   Stew.     

    after saying if you shift your position in the seat makes me think it may only be a problem with the seat itself ,not sitting in correct posi,or maybe your wallet is too thick hahaha 
  • Stew70
    Stew70
    5 years ago
    Quoting Stew70 on 09 Sep 2019 11:56 AM

    Hi All.   There's been no change to the bike at this stage.  Due to the loss of a close family member at the start of the year and being involved with preparing the property for sale,  I have not had time to look further.   I have ridden the bike on occasion and have found that if I sit to the right in the seat or shift my weight to the right the bike is more upright.  I don't have a bike lift or anything at home to get the bike up to check alignment or head stem bearings etc.  Now the weather is starting to improve in Melbourne and I'm starting to get a bit more time,  I'll look into it in the next couple of months hopefully.    All the best,   Stew.     

    Quoting gidgi on 09 Sep 2019 09:21 PM

    after saying if you shift your position in the seat makes me think it may only be a problem with the seat itself ,not sitting in correct posi,or maybe your wallet is too thick hahaha 

    Its not the wallet.  That goes in my jacket pocket.  Is it the seat?  I doubt it.  
  • Bob
    Bob
    5 years ago
    I took it to the dealer today to have the instrument cluster changed under warranty, as it had some staining on the glass internally after it decided to condensate when I took it for a ride last week. Very weird. I have not even washed it yet since I have had it. It has always been in my shed under a bike cover. 
    I asked them to go over it and check  if there is any reason that the bike should have a lean to the right when riding. They checked the rear wheel alighment and went over the bike. Took it for a ride and said there is nothing wrong and it rides just like any other 2018 Fatboy. They also told me that no one else has complained of this problem. 
    I too just like Stew find that it rides virtually straight if I shift my ass a little to the right.
    Might have to make a lead ballast to mount to the right side somewhere and the problem will be fixed. I would be interested to find out the weight difference between the original exhaust and the freedom radius.
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